Next Step

Well... we visited with a potential birth mom today. We talked with her on the phone for over an hour. We both feel that the coversation went really well. We didn't know what to expect. Our social worker gave us a little cheat sheet on what are good things to talk about and what we can't talk about. The potential birthmom asked about what we do, what we are interested in. What were our expectations of contact after placement. What were our ideas about home schooling, public school, and private school. She wanted to know that the child would have plenty of opportunities but also wanted to be reassured that the child wouldn't be pressured to do or be anything they didn't want to do or be.

I asked her if she has a favorite childhood memory or ejoyed something in particular that she wanted the child to do as well. She answered Vacation Bible School -- she always remembers having so much fun and looked forward to it every year. She said that it was important that a family have some faith influences in their background, but at the same time she didn't want the family life to be so conservative that the child would be "too sheltered." She was very articulate about her situation and was able to voice her plans for the future; I was very impressed with her composure. She seemed to have everything well thought out. I know this is just a next step in the process... but it is hard not to get too excited.

The logical side of me keeps repeating... this is just good practice... you could have a dozen more interviews before a match and placement is made... but at the same time, I can't but help to be excited because the coversation went so well and it seemed like we had a lot in common. The conversation went so much better than I could have ever anticipated.

Stay tuned... as we continue to wait for the next step.

Wow!

Today was a day to remember. Today is a day that needs to be documented as a part of our adoption story. I am so tired that I can hardly think right now. At about 4:25 this afternoon, I received a phone call from our social worker. A birthmom had viewed our profile and wants a phone interview with us! We are 1:2 couples she is considering. Our social worker, Melissa, told us a little about the birthmom's story and needs. Melissa told us the birthmom liked us because we are young and don't have any children. What a rush of emotion and thoughts just flooded my mind.

"Wow! "Wow!" "Whoa!"
"Wait! Don't get too excited! This is just the next step. Don't start dreaming yet." "Too late, I am already dreaming and smiling."
"Wow!" "Wow!" "Whoa!"

At the same time, my mind was racing about how maternity coverage would work as that has not been decided yet. Who should we tell? Should we not tell just yet until we have more information? I started thinking about we have absolutely nothing for a baby right now. What about furniture? What about diapers? Images of me holding a baby... images of my husband holding a baby were clearly in my mind. What are we going to say to the birthmom when we talk to her? Will it be awkward? Will we click and match? I hope that she will be able to hear the excitement in our voices. Wow! Wow! Too late, I am already dreaming... even though it is only a phone interview... it still does not feel real that this process has started and is moving so quickly. I am almost afraid it is moving too quickly, but at the same time I am also afraid that it will slow down. I just keep reminding myself to take one day at a time... just like we have through this entire process of waiting for our family to grow.

Tomorrow is a new day... and I will have more information then. For now, I need a good night's sleep and I am excited to awake refreshed and relaxed for what tomorrow is going to bring.